DOULA - Support for mums to be and new mums

me_and_me_monkeys

At the moment anyone can call themselves a doula without any training whatsoever - which is a bit scary!

to be a doula UK trainee you need to be a women and have some experience of birth (either you or you were with someone) depending on which trainer you pick depends on the next step - I had to then write a debrief on all my births and why i wanted to be a doula, what I knew about birth etc. Then I attended a 3 day intensive (and OMG was it!!!) course. Then I had to write 4 assignments about different senarios and what I would do, and also review a book about birth. I then got my certificate

Then I had to join doula uk, find an assessor and fill out another debrief form and then its a long interview (face-to-face or on the phone) if they are happy and you are happy you are a trainee doula. Then you have to attend at least 4 births (or 4 postnatal jobs if your a P/n doula) that you write up and your assessor goes through with you - if they are happy, once you have the 4 accepted births you are a recognised birth doula. Most people manage to get their recognised doula status withing 2 years.

we cannot offer advice or make decisions for mum - we can give information and support. We don't do anything clinical, and do not replace a midwife. We are there to provide continuous support so that mum feels empowered to do it herself

npsmama

Do you do the Bangor area too?
Or do you know someone who would?

thanks

me_and_me_monkeys

npsmama - I have pm'd you

Tulip

wow, Good Luck Me and My Monkeys,I remember hearing about Doulas on tv a long time ago and it was very interesting the way they helped the parents to be


Katie

scruffy96uk

I have pm'd you??

me_and_me_monkeys

sorry scruff - just got it (havn't been on much this week.) you should have a PM waiting!

DrFluffy

The doula's I've met while doing my Obs and Gynae placement do it for free!

Most do an excellent job - very calming!!!

me_and_me_monkeys

Ahhh - yep there is one hospital that provide them for free in London - can't for the life of me remember which!

I don't think I could be a 'paid by the hospital' doula. Being a doula means that I support the mums personal choices and provide as much sourced information so she can make her own decision. If I was paid by the hospital then I would have to work within their protocall - which means that I may have a conflict of interest IYSWIM

DrFluffy

Several of the hospitals in London have access to free Doula's... Some (I'm actually guessing the vast majority) are provided for Orthodox Jewish women via their Synagogue, but are free to end user, and there arer a few othe charities around too...

me_and_me_monkeys

cool - if you get details = please let me know